Memorial Day 2011

It was a BBQ for 2!

That's what happens when your family

grows up:(

Anyway I got to do a little something special

with the free printables from

Tomkat Studio

so it felt like a holiday at least.

The yummiest way to do cheese on a burger is

to grate it and put a big mound on top,

for some reason it has a whole new taste.

The idea is from Houstons restaurant.

I also made blueberry lemonade, coleslaw,

beans and brownies...

good stuff.

Now back to life as usual...

Spring Tunic

I finally got around to finishing up the tunic

I started months ago and today was the 

perfect day to wear it, chilly but not too cold.

I made a pair of wide leg green capris to go with it, 

but it wasn't warm enough so leggings it is for now!

Revamped Album

 My sister had picked up this album at the

Goodwill Bin store for a few cents

and passed it on to me to see if I could come

up with an idea to reuse it. 

So in return for her Birthday (shhhh...)

I made it into an album for her.

She can put in her own photos

and favorite recipes. 

The papers are all Graphics 45.

Day in Portland

 I spent Saturday in Portland with my daughter  

on a tour with a lady from her work

who is a tour guide. We also found the new

Sisters Coffee Co. that just opened in the Pearl

and enjoyed a maple latte

(it was my Mothers day gift from Shana).

I lunched on  a Gluten Free Pizza @ Pizzacato

and walked around 23rd enjoying the sights

of Spring in the City.

Had to take a pic of the food cart that sells

only grilled PB and J sandwiches!

You gotta love a town where you can 

sell that and make a living:)

My Birthday Post #3

We ended my Birthday trip with a picture.

My boys always give weary sighs,

when I say "okay, one last thing before we leave,

I want a picture of all of you!"

But they oblige me because they are

good sons who know it makes their Mom happy!

(the girls don't mind)

Thanks for traveling along on my 

Little Adventure 

and celebrating the big 48

with me!

Birthday Post #2

 After 2 days alone my family came

down to join me. That's always the best part

to have the house full of sound and laughter!

The kids always say that I take advantage 

of my birthday being a day they can't say no 

by making them go on a hike:) 

And yes, indeed it is true!

This year we hiked along the Metolius River

to the fish hatchery-5 miles round trip-

I was getting pretty nervous for my 

pregnant daughter,

she was kind of waddling by the end! and

my little granddaughter kept asking for 

chips because she was starving!

 

 Anyway that night everybody was treated to a delish

meal, my fave- BBQ chicken, potato salad,

biscuits and baked beans!

And then later to a cookie and milk bar with

5 different kinds of cookies:), choc and reg milk.

I put brown bags out and everybody could fill their 

bag with what ever kind they wanted.

Fun times but I think next year I'll let the kids make

the dinner!!

My 48th Birthday Week

 This past week I had my 48th Birthday.

I sent invites to my kids...just for the fun

of it:)

 The first day of my travels was spent alone  

on a tour of Hood River 

and the orchards in bloom on the

 "Fruit Loop"http://www.hoodriverfruitloop.com

something I've never done even though I've

lived in this area all my life.

It was really beautiful and interesting!

I definitely plan to go back in the harvest season.

The second day I spent at our house

in Central Oregon and exploring

in and around that area.

The weather was lovely, and I felt all

my worries and anxiety melt away.

I have learned to accept that if I want to travel

and explore sometimes I have to 

be okay with being alone.

I know that may sound odd to some women,

but I have gotten used to it and really

quite enjoy it too:)

Tomorrow I'll let you see some more of

my lovely week...

Mom's Day 2011

 I'm always so happy when all my Kids 

are home and with me...

the smile can't stop!

 We kept it simple this year and just had a

Frozen Yogurt Bar

with TCBY

and lots of toppings:)

My Mom's 85th Birthday Lunch

 How can you bless a Mother who at 85 still is

delighted to see you, loves each of her 8 children with

a passion, and is just as excited over grand baby #66

as over the first one?

You really can't..but a few of her extended

family got together for lunch today 

and by being with her tried to show our love.

 I was inspired by the fabric in the pic above for the 

colors and decor for the lunch. I wanted to bless

each of the ladies in my family too so I made

pancake mix "in a jar" and homemade syrup

for each to take home.

It's been 37 years (I believe) since all of my 7 sisters

were together! But at least those of us 

who live near by did today and even tho

we tired my Mom out:) I hope she enjoyed it!

It's Just Us Now

Life at my house has changed a lot

recently. We only have one son left at

 home and the supper table, house and yard

seem so quiet! 

I also have trouble remembering 

to cook for a very small family.

You Moms' out there who

have all your kiddos at home...

Love it!

Appreciate it!

Enjoy the noise and laughter!

All TOO soon, it's gone.

A Lilac Sunday

I spent a sunny, quiet Sunday afternoon at 

the Hulda Klager Lilac Gardens

in Woodland.

Sweet scented warm air

wafted across my face, and my ears

heard, with joy

 "How Great Thou Art"

being sung in the garden.

It seemed like everyone there felt the 

serenity as folks kept their voices low

and walked up and down drowsily.

When I found the sign under a bush, 

I knew that it was the name for my post!

"O Lord, my God!

When I in awesome wonder

Consider all the worlds Thy hands have made...

Then sings my soul, 

my Savior God to Thee;

How great Thou art, How great Thou art!"